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Our priority is to carry out actions aimed at recovering the area impacted by the collapse of Dam B1, in Brumadinho.
It is Vale's duty and priority to carry out actions aimed at the environmental recovery of the entire area impacted by the collapse of Dam B1 in Brumadinho.
On this page you can find all of the environmental remediation initiatives carried out by Vale.Environmental recovery is divided into five fronts:
Choose which topic you want to learn more about or browse the page and check out the full content.
Water quality monitoring
Since January 2019, Vale has been carrying out water quality monitoring work in the Paraopeba River basin, its tributaries, as well as stretches of the São Francisco River, although the latter were not affected by the B1 Dam failure.
In addition to the monthly monitoring carried out by the Minas Gerais Water Management Institute (Igam), the quality of the waters of the Paraopeba River and its tributaries is monitored by Vale, respecting the commitment assumed with the responsible public bodies. All this work is accompanied by an independent technical and environmental audit, appointed by the Public Ministry of Minas Gerais (MPMG).
The data obtained by the monitoring works are eriodically delivered to Organs inspection bodies and to the Public Ministry of Minas Gerais.
In order for you to better understand all the information on this page, we have produced a glossary. Click here.
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Discover all the monitoring points that exist today
How is monitoring done?
What results have been obtained so far?
- The tailings have been retained in the reservoir behind the Retiro Baixo Hydroelectric Dam in Pompéu, Minas Gerais, and have not reached the São Francisco River;
- The water in the reservoir behind the Três Marias Hydroelectric Dam is not contaminated, as demonstrated by the environmental agencies’ studies;
- The heavy metal levels are progressively declining during the dry season;
- Statistical tests indicate a significant trend of improving water quality during the dry season.
Metal concentration
Since January 2019, a complete list of metals has been analyzed in water and sediment samples from the Paraopeba River, main tributaries and also in points in the reservoirs of the Retiro Baixo and Três Marias Hydroelectric Power Plants.
The presence of metals in water can also be associated with the dissolution of compost from the soil, and the contents of these metals are directly related to the geological composition of the places where water bodies are inserted or discharge of industrial effluents and other human activities.
How to interpret maps
To verify the quality condition of the Paraopeba river stretches, a comparison is made of the monthly maximum result of each parameter with the maximum of the seasonal periods obtained before the disruption by Igam monitoring.
The result of this comparison with the pre-disruption period (called baseline) is graphically represented by colors, ranging from the best result (blue) to the worst (red), as follows:
Dissolved iron
Total manganese
In the monitoring carried out by Vale, significant results of these metals were identified in stretches more impacted by the input of tailings, with attenuation as we move away from the region where the Ferro-Carvão stream meets the Paraopeba river. The contents of manganese and iron, in total form, show an increase in the rainy season and a reduction in the dry season, and the current condition indicates that the water quality is in a transition phase, with a progressive reduction in concentrations.
Dissolved aluminum
The analysis of aluminum metal has shown significant concentration levels, which may be associated with the tailings. However, specifically in the stretch of the Paraopeba River after the municipality of Maravilhas, it is observed that natural geological factors influence the increase in the concentration of this element.
Trace metals
However, for these elements, which are also present in the tailings, the data analyzed currently show that the levels in the Paraopeba River are similar or even lower than those recorded in public databases for the pre-rupture period.
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Turbidity
Turbidity is a basic parameter for assessing water quality, easily influenced by rainfall and related to the transparency and quantity of suspended particles
The presence of suspended solid materials such as clay, organic and inorganic matter, microscopic organisms and algae cause water turbidity.
The origins of these materials can be diverse:
- River bottom sediments;
- Soils on the banks and in areas with suppression of vegetation;
- Mining;
- Sand removal or clay exploration;
- Industrial waste;
- Domestic sewage.
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Understand the difference in water behaviour in the rainy x dry season
Climatic aspects have a relevant influence on water quality. During rainy periods, the water tends to become more turbid, mainly due to the carrying of materials from the banks and the resuspension of sediments from the bottom of the river. On the other hand, in periods of drought (drought), the rivers present reduced flow, low flow velocity and less resuspension of sediments, resulting in better measurements of some parameters.
Regarding the Paraopeba River, we can say that, in periods of drought, the water quality approaches the conditions prior to the break.
The joint analysis of the dissolved aluminum, dissolved iron and total manganese parameters shows that there is a progressive reduction in the concentration of these parameters, indicating recovery close to the conditions of a class 2 river in periods of drought.
During the rainy season, the water quality worsens, as has happened in the past. The increase in the concentration of some of these parameters such as aluminum, iron, manganese and turbidity may be related to the suspension of the material deposited on the riverbed and the new contributions caused by natural soil materials in the region, or due to other activities historically carried out in the region.
The evaluation of the water quality of the Paraopeba River and its tributaries continues to show results that indicate the reduction of several physicochemical parameters, regardless of the influence of climatic factors.
Monitoring in numbers
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About 90 monitoring points.
14 telemetric stations installed for continuous monitoring.
6.5 million results from water, soil and sediment.
More than 53,000 samples collected.
About 250 professionals involved in this process.
Fotógrafo: Ricardo Teles
Monitoring of the Paraopeba River by IGAM
Vale signed the Term of Commitment (TC) with the Public Ministry of the State of Minas Gerais (MPMG), which establishes the transfer of all monitoring actions of water resources and sediments along the Paraopeba River Basin and in the São Francisco River for the Minas Gerais Water Management Institute (IGAM). To absorb the monitoring data after the breakup, Vale is developing, together with IGAM, a water monitoring software for the entire State of Minas Gerais. Vale hires a technical and independent auditor, who is responsible for overseeing the entire transfer process, which is expected to take 33 months after the signing of the Global Agreement.
Igam reinforces that the recommendation of not using raw water from the Paraopeba River for any purpose is still maintained, as a preventive measure, in the stretch that covers the municipalities of Brumadinho up to the limit of the Retiro Baixo HPP, in Pompéu (approximately 250 km from distance from the break). The use of water in the stretches before the municipality of Brumadinho (before the stretch affected by the rupture) and after the Retiro Baixo HPP are authorized for a wide range of purposes and there is no restriction by public bodies.
Monitoring the quality of the water is essential to subsidize the agency and, in the future, allow the resumption of use. This is a decision that does not depend on Vale, and to support the assessment of the water quality condition, the monitoring results are periodically sent to the State's supervisory bodies.
Cycle Closing Report: understand what it is for and what is done with it
The Cycle Closing Report contemplates the evaluation of monitoring data within the scope of the Monitoring Plans.
It presents the behaviour of the results of monitoring of surface waters and sediments in the Paraopeba river basin up to the Três Marias reservoir, in different seasonal periods.
The document aims to present an assessment of the quality of water and sediment, bringing into consideration the variations that occur during the rainy and dry periods of the hydrological cycles, over the years of monitoring.
Photographer: Vale’s Archive
Water Supply
After the B1 Dam Breach in Brumadinho, the use of water from the Paraopeba river was interrupted and Vale assumed a commitment, with the competent public authorities to guarantee the water supply of all municipalities impacted by this measure.
Our initiatives are divided into two fronts, which serve the public supply and the riverside population:
These are actions aimed at animal consumption, agricultural irrigation and human consumption.
Those actions carried out to ensure water security and that usually involve works, in order to promote improvement and adjustments in the public supply. They consist of the drilling and reactivation of deep tubular wells, abstractions in surface water sources and in the installation of water treatment systems.
Public supply
Access to water in sufficient quantity and quality is a human right. Therefore, we are working with the implementation of several solutions for the supply of drinking water in the municipalities that had withdrawal from the Paraopeba river.
Know the actions
A pipeline system measuring around 50 km long with withdrawal from the Pará river, which was not affected by the sediments of the B1 dam, for direct service to the municipality of Pará de Minas. The structure's flow rate is 284 l/s, the same volume that the municipality used to capture from the Paraopeba River before the dam breach.
Watch the video to learn more:
Photographer: Vale’s Archive
204.060.040 liters/day for public supply
This equates to a city of 1,3 milion Inhabitants
*Data on October 18, 2022, according flows granted
Supply for the riverside population
Distribution of drinking water to those who live on the banks of the Paraopeba River. This water can be supplied by wells drilled or reactivated by Vale (structuring preventive actions) or by means of a water truck or mineral water distribution (emergency corrective actions).
Irrigation
641.246.217 liters
Animal consumption
786.078.750 liters
Domestic use
657.667.483 liters
21.954.360 liters
*Data on December 2022
Agricultural use
2.797.384.800 liters
*Data on December 2022, according flows granted
Photographer: Vale’s Archive
- Brumadinho
- São Joaquim de Bicas
- Mário Campos
- Betim
- Esmeraldas
- Juatuba
- Florestal
- Pará de Minas
- São José da Varginha
- Pequi
- Fortuna de Minas
- Maravilhas
- Papagaios
- Paraopeba
- Curvelo
- Pompéu
Learn more
Structuring preventive actions in the Rio das Velhas Basin
Although it has not been impacted by the B1 rupture, the Rio das Velhas is receiving a preventive investment. Get to know some actions:
Water Security
In addition to the projects executed by Vale, the company is developing 5 (five) basic projects of water safety works, which will be delivered to the water supply concessionaire for subsequent bidding and contracting and aim to guarantee a demand corresponding to 15,000 l/s to supply the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte.
Biodiversity in the Paraopeba River Basin
The recovery of the Paraopeba river and its biodiversity is one of Vale's commitments in the reparation work. Therefore, since the rupture of the B1 dam in Brumadinho, short, medium and long-term measures have been carried out.
Monitoring
Biodiversity monitoring is carried out on a permanent basis by companies specialized in the area of the environment, biologists, field assistants and veterinarians, with the coordination of university professors. In all, 35 points are studied for aquatic biodiversity and 20 areas for terrestrial biodiversity, which cover regions not affected, areas affected in lesser intensity and areas severely affected by tailings.
The fauna and flora in some marginal lakes and in the main tributaries of the Paraopeba river are also analysed.
By expanding monitoring to unaffected locations, it is possible to assess the environmental conditions and the real impact of the disruption on biodiversity.
It is based on these constant analyses that we understand the impacts and can understand the best actions to be taken in favour of the local flora and fauna
Watch the video below to find out how monitoring is done:
Aquatic Biodiversity
Currently, the study area of aquatic communities on the Paraopeba river ranges from the Salto do Paraopeba Small Hydroelectric Plant, in Jeceaba, to beyond the Três Marias dam.
After studies by experts from government institutions, 35 points were selected for aquatic monitoring, in affected and unaffected areas.
In the river, we monitor fish, aquatic insects and microscopic plant and animal organisms, known as plankton, using the following methods:
Collection of sediment from the bottom with specific equipment, such as a dredger;
Manual collection of rocks and leaves that are at the bottom;
Trawl for plankton collection;
Collection of aquatic plants, the so-called “macrophytes”;
Collecting fish with nets, nets and other equipment.
The reparation so far
Fish
To study the species, samples are collected using cast nets, nets, trawls and sieves. After collection, the fish are processed, tagged, have their biometric data recorded and are studied in laboratories.
Fish from the Paraopeba river basin are also monitored during piracema, when they reproduce. In this way, when schools swim against the current to release eggs, between the months of November and February, they are monitored in order to detect possible changes in fish reproduction.
Histopathological analysis – Procedure performed to assess possible diseases or damage to fish due to exposure to waste arising from the break.
Helmintofauna Assessment – This procedure assesses the presence of parasites as bioindicators for monitoring environmental impact.
Bioaccumulation of metals – Procedure in which animals undergo identification, biometrics and removal of muscle and liver, to verify the presence of metals such as aluminium, copper, iron, lead, zinc, among others. That is, we check whether there are high concentrations of a particular chemical in organisms at the highest level of the food chain;
Toxicology and genotoxicity in fish and aquatic invertebrates – scientific studies that analyse the effects of chemical substances on organisms and their ability to induce alterations in the genetic material of animals that have been exposed to them.
Important
Planktonic communities
The technical team also studies planktonic communities (formed by different microorganisms), which have some important bioindicators. These bioindicators are sensitive to pollution and help us to verify that the physical, chemical and biological parameters of the river water are adequate. The collections of these microorganisms are carried out with plankton nets and the analyses are carried out in the laboratory, using a microscope.
Aquatic biota of the Ferro-Carvão stream basin
As part of the monitoring, we follow the aquatic biota , that is, the set of aquatic living beings, from the Ferro-Carvão stream basin. For this, we studied different groups of animals, including aquatic invertebrates and fish.
For the collection of fish samples, 10 points were defined in the tributaries of the stream. For the collection of aquatic invertebrates, three streams from the Ferro-Carvão basin and other watercourses in nearby basins with similar hydrological characteristics are sampled. This monitoring seeks to assess the possible loss of interaction, also called loss of ichthyofauna connectivity, between the species existing in the Ferro-Carvão basin. Delete 'what do we evaluate?'
Terrestrial biodiversity
In the forest areas of the Ferro-Carvão river basin and surrounding areas, and on the banks of the Paraopeba river, the technical teams analyse the cycle of nutrients in nature, the composition and structure of the vegetation and various animal species (selected as bioindicators) present there. The main study methods used are:
The reparation so far
Wild animals - such as birds, snakes, tortoises, opossums, among others - found in the areas of emergency works are captured and clinically evaluated. The rescue and rescue actions are carried out respecting all protocols and measures of capture and containment, according to the fauna group to which it belongs (amphibians, reptiles, birds or mammals). All procedures aim to ensure the animal's well-being and safety, always seeking the best destination for each individual. If they are in good condition, they are immediately released into their natural habitat . If they need veterinary treatment that requires a period of hospital stay, they are sent to the Fauna Shelter Farm, in Brumadinho/MG, where they are housed in roomy environments that respect the specificities of their biology and ecology.
These animals are monitored by specialists who perform various procedures: laboratory tests, balanced nutrition to aid in physical and behavioural recovery, muscle training, among others. They can also be sent to the Wild Fauna Rehabilitation and Reintroduction Program, where tests and training are carried out for the development of abilities and skills for survival in a natural environment.
Once rehabilitated, animals in good condition are reintegrated into their natural environment. Those who do not have the capacity for rehabilitation or release are referred to an institution that is capable of maintaining their physical and psychological well-being throughout their life in captivity, such as a breeding, maintenance or zoo. All these actions are in compliance with current environmental standards and are authorized by the environmental agency.
Botanical Monitoring
In order to assess whether there was an impact on vegetation beyond the area directly affected by the tailings, botanical studies are carried out to monitor, among other things, possible changes in the structure of the vegetation and in the diversity of species.
For this monitoring, plots are marked on plots installed in forested areas close to the tailings patch and also in areas far from the tailings for comparison purposes. These locations are monitored over time to verify whether the proximity to the tailings will generate any long-term impact and, if so, what are the best mitigation measures.
Rescue of plant species
The impacted vegetation is receiving a contribution from technology for its recovery. A technique developed by researchers at the Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa – UFV)”, capable of rescuing DNA and creating copies of plants in the region, has begun to be applied for forest rehabilitation in the area. Trees that could take more than eight years to flower should start this process between six and 12 months, which will help to accelerate the recovery of biodiversity in the region. Genetic material has already been collected from five pre-selected species, including endangered species such as Stephanopodium engleri, braúna (Melanoxylonbrauna) and caviúna (Dalbergianigra)and protected by law, such as the yellow ipe (Handroanthus serratifolius). Part of the seedlings produced from the recovered material were planted in the impacted area in the first months of 2021.
Revegetation - Ground Zero Project
In December 2020, Vale completed the first stage of the Ground Zero project, which involved forest restoration work such as: seed collection, seedling production, acclimatization and planting in areas to be recovered at the mouth of the Ferro-Carvão stream's estuary. Other ecological restoration techniques used were nucleation (which forms favourable microhabitats to attract species and accelerate the process of succession and local diversity), through the installation of artificial perches and soil transposition; which will also contribute to the recovery process in the medium term. At the end of the restoration work, the Ground Zero area will have around 4,000 seedlings of tree species native to the region.
Galery
The activities are being carried out in full compliance with legislation and are monitored through meetings, field visits and reports by various public bodies. Depending on the case, one or more of the institutions below are responsible for issuing authorizations. No action is performed without proper authorization or follow-up.
State Forestry Institute (Instituto Estadual de Florestas – IEF)
Prosecution Office of The State of Minas Gerais (Ministério Público de Minas Gerais – MPMG)
Water Management Institute of Minas Gerais (Instituto Mineiro de Gestão de Águas – IGAM)
State Environmental Foundation (Fundação Estadual de Meio Ambiente – FEAM)
State Department for Environment and Sustainable Development (Secretaria de Estado de Meio Ambiente e Desenvolvimento Sustentável – SEMAD)
Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis – IBAMA)
Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade – ICMBio)
In addition to the team of specialists working in the field, we have monitoring and reparation techniques developed by researchers and professors from the following partner institutions:
Federal University of Minas Gerais (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais – UFMG)
Federal University of Viçosa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa – UFV)
Federal University of Ouro Preto (Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto – UFOP
State University of Minas Gerais (Universidade Estadual de Minas Gerais – UEMG)
Federal University of Juiz de Fora (Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora – UFJF)
Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro – UFTM)
To this end, we remain committed to carrying out actions to monitor local biodiversity, such as water, soil and animals, in addition to carrying out activities aimed at the revegetation of affected areas.
Discover our areas of activity:
Photographer: Ricardo Teles
Water supply
After the collapse of Dam B1, in Brumadinho, the use of water from the Paraopeba River was interrupted and Vale assumed a commitment, together with the competent public bodies, to ensure the water supply of all affected municipalities.
So far, Vale has provided a flow rate of:
204,060,040
Volume of mineral water supplied to communities
19,306,838
Volume of water made available by drilled wells
2,384,773,800
In a total of:
3,586,476,649
Photographer: Vale's Archive
Discover the actions being carried out
Do you want more information about the public supply schedule via water trucks?
The data obtained from the monitoring works is periodically delivered to inspection agencies and to the Public Presecution Office of Minas Gerais.
Fotógrafo:
Fotógrafo: Ricardo Teles
Paraopeba river water quality
The restoration of the Paraopeba River is one of the main commitments of our environmental reparation work.
What are the results obtained so far?
- Since May 2019, the Paraopeba River has not received tailings loading;
- The tailings did not reach the São Francisco River. The impacts on water quality were identified up to the limit with the Retiro Baixo Hydroelectric Power Plant, in Pompéu (MG);
- No impacts were detected on the waters of the Três Marias Hydroelectric Power Plant reservoir, as demonstrated in studies by environmental agencies;
- The turbidity levels and the total metals, Manganese, Iron and Aluminum, are progressively reducing during the dry period, and statistical trend tests prove an improvement in the water quality of the affected regions.
See also